to make a hissing or sputtering sound, esp. one that dies out weakly.

Informal . to fail ignominiously after a good start (often fol. by out )

The reform movement fizzled out because of poor leadership.

a fizzling, hissing, or sputtering.

Informal . a failure; fiasco.

verb

build , develop , progress

verb

abort , be a fiasco , come to nothing , die , end , end in defeat , end in disappointment , fail , fold , miscarry , misfire , miss the mark , peter out * , wane , fizz , sibilate , sizzle , swish , whiz , whoosh , decline , degenerate , deteriorate , flag , languish , sink , waste , weaken , bomb , collapse , failure , fiasco , flop , hiss